Skeletonwitch - Worship the Witch

Skeletonwitch is yet another retro thrash upstart. The references tossed around in this Cleveland band’s publicity puzzle me, as it doesn’t give me much of a thrash vibe. I do hear thrash moments, but the blackened vocals and tremolo picking keep getting in the way of the old-school worship I’m evidently supposed to do.

This is very competent *metal*, if somewhat insubstantial at 12 minutes over four songs. These guys try hard with that logo and beautiful, Pushead-esque artwork, but this EP comes off much better sans thrash expectations. As with much of nu-old thrash, it’s way too melodic to qualify as old-school. It keeps using that Black Dahlia Murder harmonic minor scale, and the raspy vocals only add to that impression. I’m digging the natural production, and…whoa, some blastbeats and death growls just flew by.

Again, how can this claim to be old-school??? You make my head bang; just stop telling me what you’re trying to do. Worship the Witch is available at Prosthetic and The End.